Pin A playful, spicy appetizer featuring creamy cheese, tangy pretzel biscuits, and a fiery Flamin Hot crust—perfect for parties or game nights.
I first made these skewers for a family game night, hoping to impress everyone with something unique. The crunchy Flamin Hot coating and creamy cheese filling were an instant hit with both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- Cream cheese: 8 oz (225 g), softened
- Shredded cheddar cheese: 1/2 cup (60 g)
- Fresh chives: 1 tablespoon, finely chopped
- Garlic powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Smoked paprika: 1/4 teaspoon
- Salt and pepper: to taste
- Flamin Hot corn chips or Flamin Hot Cheetos: 2 cups (80 g), crushed into crumbs
- Mini pretzel biscuits (or pretzel sticks): 12 pieces, about 2–3 each
- Small wooden skewers or cocktail sticks: 12
- Extra chives: for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make cheese mixture:
- In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar, chives, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
- Shape cheese balls:
- Roll heaping tablespoons of the cheese mixture into 12 evenly sized balls.
- Coat balls:
- Place crushed Flamin Hot chips or Cheetos in a shallow dish. Roll each cheese ball in the crumbs, pressing gently to coat completely.
- Assemble skewers:
- Carefully skewer a pretzel biscuit onto each wooden stick, then top with a coated cheese ball.
- Garnish and serve:
- Arrange the skewers on a serving platter. Garnish with extra chives, if desired. Serve immediately, or chill for up to 2 hours before serving.
Pin My family loves the excitement of assembling these together—and there's always a little friendly competition for the last skewer. They’ve become a must for our casual parties.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl, spoon or spatula, shallow dish, small skewers or cocktail sticks
Allergen Information
Contains: Milk/Dairy, Wheat (in pretzels), Gluten (in pretzels), and possible traces of soy in Flamin Hot snacks. Not suitable for those with severe dairy or gluten allergies.
Nutritional Information
Each skewer offers about 110 calories: 7 g fat, 10 g carbohydrates, and 3 g protein.
Pin These fiery skewers make snack time super fun. Try pairing them with a crisp lager or sparkling lemonade for a tasty contrast everyone will love.
Recipe FAQ
- → How spicy are these skewers?
They bring a moderate to strong kick, thanks to the Flamin Hot chip coating. You can adjust heat by selecting milder snacks or adding less of the coating.
- → Can I prepare these ahead of time?
Assemble just before serving to keep biscuits crisp. You can make cheese balls and coat them ahead, then skewer before guests arrive.
- → What could I use instead of pretzel biscuits?
Thick pretzel sticks work well for skewering, providing the same crunchy, savory base for the creamy cheese filling.
- → How do I make the filling smoother?
Ensure the cream cheese is well softened before mixing. Beat thoroughly for a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- → Are these snacks vegetarian?
Yes, the ingredients are all vegetarian, but always double-check snack coatings for hidden animal products.
- → How should these skewers be served?
Present on a platter, topped with fresh chives. They pair beautifully with light drinks like sparkling lemonade or lager.